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Mind and Body

Do you wake up in the morning with no energy? You remember a bill you can’t afford to pay. There are rumors of a layoff where you work. Maybe your kid needs braces, but you have no way to pay for them. Someone you love has serious health issues. You worry about these things.Read More …

You may think high fructose corn syrup is the worst thing since the invention of the atomic bomb or the best thing since we discovered the wheel. Either way, I wanted to put on my minor’s cap and dig deep to get at the truth about high fructose corn syrup. I figure that’s the only Read More …

I wondered if my friend was right the other day when she complained that she lacked creativity. No one in my family is creative except for my Uncle Joe and he was an uncle by marriage she woefully admitted. It’s just not in our genes. What my research uncovered is that there are ways to be more creative. And that’s what this post is all about. Read More …

Too often I hear people say, “Oh, I would really love to do that, but I just don’t have the time.” The other night at a seminar I heard a guy say, “I don’t have the time to cook healthy meals.” Well I’m here to tell you that you do have the time. You just need to manage it for what really matters in your life. Read More …

Almost anywhere you go people are plugged in to some sort of electronic device. They’re either texting, calling on their cell phones or can’t hear anything going around them thanks to their ear buds. Others are busy spending countless hours on Facebook and other social media sites. Is being plugged in really so bad? Read More …

Today I have a confession to make to all of you. I have no will power. If things get too uncomfortable or a problem seems overwhelming, I don’t walk away, I run away. Realizing this about myself was the first step in helping me come up with a plan to achieve one of my numerous unattained goals. I wanted to shed about 40 excess pounds and do it working around the fact that I have no will power. Read More …

Hello everybody, today I’m honored to introduce you to Jennifer Adler. Jennifer is a renowned nutritionist specializing in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. She’s founder of Passionate Nutrition and co-founder of the International Eating Disorders Institute. She holds a Master of Science in clinical nutrition and counseling. Read More …

Okay, so you’ve added years to your life, maybe even a lot of years, but the number of years you’ve lived doesn’t mean you need to feel old. I bet you didn’t know that by feeling old, you can actually make yourself look older. Now we don’t want that to happen. Why give those wrinkles help? Guaranteed wrinkles need no help! Read More …

Your body is a symphony of chemical reactions unique to only you. When your chemistry is in perfect harmony, you can be healthier and happier. When there is discordance, and if it is severe enough, the result is physical and or mental illness. Read More …

If you want to know how to have fun, you first must know what fun is. The word “fun” is one of those nebulous terms with different meanings for different people. In this post we’re going to explore the definition of fun then look at ways to increase the fun in your life based on how you define it. Read More …

Here at SpaFromScratch we want you to look good, feel good and be healthy. For that reason, we dig deep into the research to get the facts on those things that will affect you. This week we’re going to discuss genetically modified foods and any health risks involved in consuming them. In short, should you eat them or ban them from your diet? Read More …

This is a personal message to our readers. Lori and I have a mission to try and make the world just a little bit better for our having walked on this blue gem called Earth. We strive to make a difference. Read More …

In Reach Out and Touch Someone we will first to look at the hard science behind a touch and then see what psychologists have to say. I mean I know what a wonderful feeling it gives me when a good friend touches my arm or gives me a hug. A light touch from a stranger is also welcome. However, I’m considered kinda’ weird at times so I wanted to find out if it was just me or if there really is magic in a touch. Read More …

You can add happiness to your life every day by looking forward to fun activities for you and your family. You will tighten family bonds, be happier and of course, have fun. If you plan it right, you might even save money. Read More …

Butterflies add so much beauty to your life why not make them happy by creating an environment that invites them into your life. It’s really easy to do and if you create a butterfly garden, you’ll have the added benefit of getting a little exercise and the beautiful flowers you plant will make you happy too. Read More …

Flowers are not only beautiful to look at, but bring us happiness and uplift our mood so says science. If you ever had a doubt about how important flowers can be in your life and the lives of those you care about, this post will put those doubts at rest. Read More …

Mother’s Day is just around the corner for many countries around the world. It’s a time to express our love and appreciation for the most important woman in our lives. This post will offer unique ideas you may not have considered. Read More …

Many people believe loving yourself means being selfish or narcissistic. However, that is a misconception and many great philosophers and teachers attest to that fact. Here’s what they have to say: Read More …

Placebo means healing based on belief. Nocebo means illness based on belief. So, who gives a whit? You should, and soon you’re going to understand why. When you dig a little deeper into understanding the significance of the placebo effect and the nocebo effect, your eyes will be opened to a new world that can change your life. Why do I say that? Because I can prove it to you. Read More …

In today’s world with so much negativity and stress, many seem to lose track of how to have fun and be happy. It’s a personal mission of mine to help bring fun and happiness into the lives of others. Read More …

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Can you believe it! What happens to the time? This year we here at SpaFromScratch want are goddesses to have the best holiday season ever. We are going to examine potential holiday problems, create solutions to them, and give you back that Christmas spirit that sometimes seems to fade over the years. Read More …

The life of a woman is often filled with the care and attention to others. We tend to take on an abundance of responsibilities such as: personal maintenance, cleaning, cooking, family scheduling, bookkeeping, etc. To top everything off, many of us also work outside the home. Often we become stressed and run down trying to juggle everything on a daily basis. When this happens it is hard for us to be effective, upbeat and patient.Getting “me time” can be tough. Even though it may seem hopeless, don’t give up. There is a way. Read More …

Among a couple of other acronyms CAM stands for Complementary Alternative Medicine. So what does this have to do with your spa day? Well, the answer to that is about 40% of you use CAM as a self treatment in your homemade lotions, creams and other bath products. Read More …

Abhyang is an Indian term meaning ‘oil application.’ It’s considered an Ayurvedic massage, at least here in the West. (Ayurvedic is from the word ayurveda which is the Indian art of healing and prolonging life.) If you’re the type person who likes rough massages where a lot of beating and pounding is involved, this is not the massage for you. For me, it’s perfect because abhyanga massage is so gentle and relaxing. Read More …

Some things are difficult to learn and may be no fun at all. However, when you learn aromatherapy, it can be a ton of fun with unimaginable benefits. With the hundreds of essential oils used in aromatherapy each with its own unique chemistry, the task of learning aromatherapy may seem daunting. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be that way. Read More …

I am a proponent of meditation and have been for a long time because I studied the research and understood the benefits of meditation. Unfortunately, I didn’t practice meditation because I never felt like I had the time. There were just way too many things I just had to get done. At least, that’s what I thought. Well I was dead wrong and have changed the “I don’t have time to meditate” to “I don’t have time not to meditate.” Read More …

According to the CDC roughly 60% of those of us living in the United States are overweight. I know I’ve sure put on a few pounds sitting here working on the computer for a large part of the day and Lori struggles with the problem. You will find online sites that tell you that essential oils can help you lose weight. The purpose of this post is to investigate whether this is fact or fiction. Read More …

Okay, coconut oil has gotten a bad wrap in the dietary circle due to its high saturated fat content. While the debate rages on about that, the value of coconut oil in skin and hair care products is undisputed. However, there are differences in coconut oils available for purchase. These important differences are what this post is all about. Read More …

Due to the higher concentration of linalool in high altitude French lavender it is the ideal essential oil for relaxation and stress relief. Enjoy these two wonderfully fragrant spa recipes using French lavender. Read More …

There are exercises, massages and aromas that can help bring temporary stress relief. However, ultimate stress relief rests in your mind. It really isn’t outside events that keep you stressed. It’s how you think about those events and the resulting action or inaction that keeps you up tight. Read More …

The first time I had a foot massage, I thought I’d just been transported to paradise. My sister-in-law, an accomplished foot reflexologist, gave me that massage while explaining why I had a few ouches when she applied pressure to various parts of my foot. After that foot massage I was sold. Read More …

PMS or premenstrual syndrome is one of those annoying realities goddesses everywhere wrestle with in varying degrees. The vast majority of women everywhere have at least some experience with PMS. The whole point of this post is to help conquer PMS. It can be done, but it may take a multifaceted approach to do it. Read More …

PMS is one of those ugly little conditions that give many of our goddesses misery every month. This post is designed to give you four really effective and easy recipes to make life just that much better. Read More …

There is a close association between laughter and health. The more you laugh the better for your health. Countless studies have been done proving this point. This post will give you a short look at why it’s an important component to a healthy happy goddess. Read More …

During the Middle Ages while the black plague was trying to wipe out the population of Europe. The story goes that thieves capitalized on the situation by stealing the belongings of the dead and dying. Yet, despite their contact with the deadly bacteria, the thieves didn’t contract the disease. The theory is that it’s because these thieves were also merchants of herbals and oils. Read More …

Many of our posts talk about awesome ways to caress the senses with lovely colors, music and scents. However, it’s almost impossible to appreciate the benefits of these sensual stimulants if you have no perception of them. This post is for our goddesses who can’t smell or taste. Read More …

We talk a lot about scent and color to enhance your spa day experience. The topic of indoor house plants is not usually found in reference to a spa day, but it should be. Indoor plants can have a profound effect on your senses and make your spa day and every day a more beautiful, fragrant and healthy experience. Read More …

All goddesses need to make time for a spa day. This post is for those who don’t think they have the time or think that having a spa day is too self-indulgent. Do you remember the fable about the farmer with the goose that laid the golden eggs? Read More …

This post is not going to show you how to make a room spray; you can find a recipe here. The only thing you will be changing is the essential oil blend. What we’re going to talk about today is how you can surround yourself with the right scent to match your desired mood. Read More …

There’s nothing beautiful about a red runny nose from allergies. Plus, allergies can get in the way of having fun. So, I decided to do some research and see if there was anything that would help relieve allergy symptoms besides over the counter antihistamines. The first thing I found was raves on the benefits of quercetin for allergies. Separating the fact from the fiction was my goal. This post only represents my findings with regards to quercetin for allergies. Read More …

There’s nothing like a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing to dampen the spirits of even the most optimistic goddess. However, this super easy, super quick apple recipe not only tastes wonderful, it also holds anti-allergy benefits. Read More …

To better relax, reduce stress or just enjoy yourself on your spa day, it’s important to understand the psychology of color. The psychology of color has been studied extensively. The next time you go to the store and pick out a box of cereal, know that the colors on that box have been researched. The goal of that research is to help you “choose” that box of cereal over a competing brand. Read More …

Meditation is good for your body and mind. It helps to keep you balanced and calm, but sometimes it can be difficult to quiet your mind enough to have the most effective experience. That’s where the following diffuser recipes can help. If you prefer to burn incense rather than use a diffuser, you’ll need to know how to select good quality incense. So I’ve also included that information. Read More …

A good spa tends to the psychological and physical well being of its clients. A good spa will quiet your mind in a variety of ways including the use of: color, music, massage, diffused scents and relaxing massages with therapeutic oils. It’s a wonderful experience, but most of us aren’t going to make it to the spa every day. (Wouldn’t that be wonderful?) There is one thing we can do to enhance our spa day experience at home. In fact, it’s something we can do to give us a 20 minute spa experience every day. We can meditate. Read More …

Summer is big time bug season here in Northwest Washington and summer is just around the corner. Summer brings joys of warm sun, beautiful flowers and hikes in the woods. It also brings itchy welts and painful lumps from stings. As self defense against the critters that seem to be hell bent on driving their stingers into my skin, I decided to do some research and find a good homemade mosquito repellent that would also work for yellow jackets, wasps and hornets. Read More …

When mighty claims are made about something, mighty proof is required for me to believe it. However, if it’s something I can prove for myself, I’m not above trying it. That is if I can do it without a large expenditure of cash. The “Ancient Secrets of the Fountain of Youth” is a book that makes just such might claims. Read More …

Because of my schedule, my spa “day” quite often only lasts for an hour or two. However, it always includes music that relaxes and refreshes me. Maybe I was a dog in my last life or something, but music that is supposed to be relaxing for Misty and Ebony, work for me the best. For those of you that are new here, Misty is my Yorkshire terrier pal and Ebony is my Heinz 57 Halloween cat. Read More …

So what does a post on vitamin facts have to do with having a spa day or beauty? The short answer is everything: First, a spa day is designed to be a healthy retreat from the hurly burly of day-to-day stress. Vitamins can play a vital part in relaxation. Second, vitamins and the foods that contain them are part of a total beauty treatment for skin, hair and nails. Read More …

There are enough books on weight loss to match the national debt. So many in fact that if you were to buy all the fascinating titles, you would lose weight because you could no longer afford to buy food. However, there is a book written by Alan R Hirsch, M.D., F.A.C.P. that covers ways to control your appetite by using scents. His scientific studies have shown that essential oils for weight loss influence the hypothalamus. The way it works is the part of the hypothalamus gland that controls appetite sends a message to your brain that tells you that you are full. Read More …

Our emphasis on SpaFromScratch is the creation of healthy bath and beauty products. We believe wonderful and beneficial creations are produced by our crafters so we wanted to dedicate a post to honoring them. Read More …

There are few things more painful than watching someone you care about suffer. It’s even more painful to watch them suffer when they aren’t getting help to ease their suffering. That is often the case when depression is the cause of the suffering because the sense of helplessness can be overwhelming. However, all is not lost as there are things you can do. Read More …

There’s a great deal of buzz on the internet about sodium benzoate dangers. The question is how much of what you read is fact and how much is fiction. The purpose of this post is to give you the facts. Read More …

You’ll get all sorts of answers to the question of how much water should you drink a day. You’ll read that 8 to 10 glasses a day is the right amount to keep you fit. Claims that if you drink a lot of water, it will help you lose weight, feel better, have healthier skin, etc. Well, I decided the goddesses that come here to SpaFromScratch deserved to know the truth so I extensively researched the subject and what follows are the facts. Read More …

Every day has its stresses, but some days seem to be awful, often due to an accumulation of little things. You forget to set your alarm clock. You’re going to be late for work. You get to work and find out there’s going to be a layoff and you don’t know if you’re on the list. You get a call while at work, you’re kid has a fever and the school wants you to come pick him up. And on and on your day goes. You need a way to help you cope. That’s where the following two essential oil recipes come in. Quick to make essential oil recipes, particularly those made with ylang ylang are great rescuers you can use anytime. Read More …

Let’s say you wake up in the morning, take a shower and slather your after bath lotion. The lotion you use contains the very essential oils that are supposed to lift your spirits, wake you up and clear your thinking. They work great and you feel wonderful, but a few hours later, you feel the blahs coming back or find yourself tired or your thinking is a little foggy. You can’t very well drop everything and run to your lotion for help. What do you do? Take your essential oils for depression with you. That’s what you do. Read More …

Before you tell a loved one you intend travel to the heart of a snake infested jungle to join a rebel militia, light off a diffuser using ylang ylang essential oil. It might just save your loved one from going into shock or having the granddaddy of anxiety attacks or clobbering you for even considering such an idea. I recommend that because ylang ylang essential oil is noted for its ability to calm jangled nerves. Read More …

There’s been a lot of hype about adding wheat germ to the diet. Some of it is true, some based strictly on testimonials, and some just hype. In this post, I’ve attempted to ferret out the facts from the fiction. Read More …

Most of us have numerous goals we would like to achieve. Examples include: losing weight, spending more quality time with family and friends, living a healthier life style, making more money, learning a language and too many more to list. However, way too often we never achieve the goals we set because we don’t get our thinking on track. Read More …

Instead of heading to the bag of chips or bucket of ice cream when you get an urge for a snack, try the following snacks instead. Your skin will show its appreciation in ways you will love. Read More …

Okay, you’ve heard all the health reasons you should do aerobic exercises. You know, like it increases blood flow to your muscles and makes you healthier. Maybe you’ve even heard that aerobic exercise causes the small blood vessels in your body to expand which helps carry away toxins. But, what the health folks aren’t sharing with you is one little secret. Read More …

If you read my post on frankincense essential oil, you’ll understand why I’m so excited about this oil that I wanted to post recipes for its use. Besides all the benefits listed in my post on frankincense essential oil, it’s renowned for its benefits for all skin types. Read More …

Why did I go out and buy an expensive mouthwash that contained hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening? Because I had a stupid moment, that’s why. All I had to do to have the same exact effect, without the expense was use straight hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. Read More …

In the world of fragrances used in perfumes, candles and skin care products, there’s a lot of room for confusion. You have fragrance oils, essential oils, absolutes, cosmetic grade, food safe, therapeutic grade oils (which, by the way, there is no such thing), pure oils, organic oils and synthetic oils. By knowing the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils, you will know which to use in order to make perfect spa creations. Read More …

When you are laughing at some hilarious joke or movie, it’s impossible to be sad or unhappy at that moment. The more time you can spend smiling and laughing, the more time you have to be happy. Read More …

In our hurly burly got to get it done yesterday world, negative stress has become an enormous problem. Along with it often come the headaches, upset stomachs and a variety of stress induced diseases. We want our goddesses to relax and enjoy life regardless of what life throws at them. Below are two easy stress relief recipes and additional tips to help them do just that. Read More …

Clary sage has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for a wide variety of ailments. It is not unusual to find that science lags in its research to substantiate the purported health benefits of Clary sage or any other herbal remedy for that matter. With increased interest in herbal remedies, research is sure to continue in the health benefits of all herbal and essential oil remedies. That said, there is significance evidence that Clary sage oil should be one of those added to your must have list. Read More …

This is going to be a very short post about a very big subject: pheromones, the chemicals that make us extra sexy. We’ve all heard about the use of pheromone traps to catch insects which usually leads to an unhappy end for the insect. However, the very existence of human pheromones has been hotly debated, let alone discussions regarding their effectiveness. With the discovery of human pheromones, that only left one question. Do pheromones work? Read More …

Time with a lover should be pleasing to both, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. The causes can be physical or psychological or a combination of both. To prevent this unhappy occurrence, you can enhance your sensual pleasure with herbal libido enhancers. Read More …

When it’s snack time our goddesses are demanding. They want nibble on treats worthy a goddess with discerning taste buds. They also want their snacks to be healthy. This can be a tall order, but goji berries fill it to a tee. Read More …

Part of any beauty regime for a diva should include tea. However, deciding what tea is best can be a bit of a trick. We’re going to clear up the mystery so our divas can decide whether they should buy red tea, white tea or green tea by comparing them. Read More …

This is not one of my usual posts about essential oils, homemade spa products and so forth, this is a story my best friend, Jim, told me last week. It made such an impression on me that I decided to share it with you. Read More …

Occasionally life has a habit of slapping us around in all sorts of ways. It can be something totally devastating such as the loss of someone we love or bad news about a health condition. It can be a worrisome event such as the loss of a job, a foreclosure on a home or divorce. When life gets rough, even goddesses must wrestle with the situation. The proper blend of essential oils for depression, anxiety and stress will help our divas weather the tough times. Read More …

Winter weather can sometimes bring on the blahs. Life itself can also induce the blahs. When this happens, it’s time for a quick solution and that is exactly what the revitalizing linen and room spray is designed to do. It’s simple, quick to make and oh so effective. Read More …

Keeping your skin, hair and nails in tip top condition should be the goal of all the goddesses here at SpaFromScratch. The best way to do that is to set up a personal schedule so that no part of your body is overlooked. Read More …

Vanilla essential oil is one of those simple, but must have oils in your repertoire of spa products. Besides having an absolutely divine fragrance, there are other benefits that make vanilla essential oil a must have. Read More …

The very best resolution for the coming year is to keep yourself healthy. The best way to do that is to eat the right foods, get plenty of exercise and control the stressors in your life. There’s nothing new about that, but if you’re like most of us, you haven’t exactly been a shining star in the past. Fortunately that can all change with a few little tricks. Read More …

If you live in a northern climate like we do, when winter hits with its storms, clouds, and generally ookie weather, it’s easy to develop serious doldrums. However, there is good news; you can create your own sunshine environment and experience spring and summer any time of year. Read More …

You will find all sorts of claims for carrot seed oil if you do a Google search for carrot seed oil. We’re going to explore these claims and try to come to some kind of conclusion as to what is fact and what is pure folklore. Read More …

We all know what makes you alike other people. You probably have two eyes, two ears, one nose, one head, two arms, two legs and gender appropriate genitalia. Yet you are different. You don’t feel like you’re exactly the same as the other people on this planet. So, what makes you different? Read More …

Jojoba oil is one of my favorites. Actually, Jojoba “oil” pronounced (Ho-Ho-Ba), isn’t really oil at all, but a wax ester. However, it looks and feels like an oil so I’m going to go right on referring to it as an oil. Anyway, jojoba is more spendy than olive oil (another one of my favorites), but most closely matches the natural oil (sebum) in human skin. That’s one of the reasons you’ll see this oil in a lot of the recipes on this site. But wait!! There’s more, lots more reasons I love this oil. Read More …

Christmas is just around the corner and many of our friends who celebrate Christmas are strapped for cash. This creates stress, lots and lots of stress for those folks as they wonder how they can afford the gifts for friends, family and particularly children who are expecting a visit from Santa. This post is dedicated to you if you fit this picture. Read More …

If you buy or make fragrant candles, they will help you and your family in ways you might find surprising. Need to relax? Light a candle. Need to concentrate? Light a candle. Are you tired? Light a candle. You will need a selection of fragrant candles. Below are the fragrances you need to have on hand. Read More …

It’s wonderful to spend an entire day each year just to be thankful. What follows is a list of things Lori and I are thankful for. Why don’t you tell your family here at SpaFromScratch what you are thankful for by adding to the comments. Let’s keep the list going. Read More …

Your baby is totally dependent on you to make the healthy decisions for him or her. Some of those decisions will revolve around baby’s skin. The big question is; what are the healthiest lotions, oils, powders and shampoos to use? Fortunately the answer is easy… Read More …

Do you look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Why am I ugly?” Rather than baking yourself a cake and having the grand daddy of pity parties, get proactive. Ask yourself, “What can I do about it?” The answer to that question can affect the rest of your life. Read More …

A romantic massage is all about the whole happy touchy feely thing that most of us humans like. Think about it, when someone you care about sexually touches you, it’s nice. Very nice. With that in mind, visualize that person gently and lovingly touching your whole body. That, boys and girls, is called a romantic massage. Read More …

What’s so sexy about cinnamon essential oil? Answer: the fragrance. It’s a total turn on to most guys. It’s been used in concoctions throughout history as a stimulant to the male libido. Now that doesn’t mean you have to go around smelling like a cinnamon roll, there are other more subtle ways to say yes with a fragrance. Read More …

Hurry up and relax will you? Come on, get with the program. I want you to relax right now because we don’t have all day. I’m looking at my watch right now and you’ve got exactly 35 seconds to relax. Got it? Read More …